Spring Break
Volleyball: New recruits bolster team
Mike Barnhart
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Sports
Every year there are teams that have the talent to compete for championships, but never seem to get over the hump to reach that level. The volleyball team is one of them. For two years, the women have thinking it is their time to break through into the Big East's elite.
The Huskies are coming off a year in which they went 19-11 overall and were ousted in the second round of the Big East tournament. Head coach Holly Strauss said that she foresees her team to reach new heights this season with the addition of two of the top 250 recruits in the country: Jordan Kirk and Allie Nickel.
"We expect our first-year players to add tremendous strength and depth to our team," Strauss said. "They are solid individuals and players who work to win."
The onus will be on the team's sole senior, Megan Frey, to provide leadership both on and off the court.
"We want teams to look at UConn Volleyball and consider us the hardest working team in the conference," Frey said.
Frey stressed the importance of practicing with incredible intensity in order to perform at the highest level come game time.
"We want to create a competitive atmosphere every day to help us build a relentless attitude that will carry over to the games," the senior said.
Joining Frey as a co-captain will be Jessica Isaac, who will provide stability at the libero position. Isaac, who is entering her third year as a full-time starter, will have even more weight on her shoulders this season.
"Jessica is on the floor at all times and we hope she will be an anchor for our team," Strauss said.
The biggest shoes that the Huskies will have to fill are those of Sade Chambers whom the team lost when she graduated in May. The former standout was First-Team All Big East and team MVP in 2007.
"Sade was a terminator and an offensive weapon and we will need some players to step up and fill the role that she played," Strauss said.
Among those who will be attempting to replace Chambers' production will be outside hitter Kate Seabaugh. The junior, who provided 267 kills in 2007, will have to take her game to the next level if the team hopes to take the next step as well.
Two other players were not shy about saying what they hope to accomplish this season.
"We want to win the Big East and earn a bid to the NCAA tournament," said middle hitter Rebecca Murray. Lauren Lamberti echoed those sentiments.
Murray plans to take on a leadership role this season in addition to her production on the court.
"I am going to do whatever I can to help our team be successful," she said.
Murray believes the team will need to remain on the same page on and off the court in order to develop the chemistry needed to have a successful year in the Big East.
Lamberti said she wants to be an emotional sparkplug for the Huskies throughout the year.
"I hope to bring energy and enthusiasm to every play, and maybe throw in a joke here and there," she said.
The looseness that Lamberti brings to the table coupled with the relentless attitude that Frey is preaching should provide a good balance for the mindset of the Huskies this year.
The Huskies open their season this weekend at the Northern Illinois Tournament where they will take on Cleveland State, Chicago State and the host school Northern Illinois. Big East action gets underway for the Huskies at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 against preseason favorite Louisville at Gampel Pavilion.
Michael.Barnhart@UConn.edu
The Huskies are coming off a year in which they went 19-11 overall and were ousted in the second round of the Big East tournament. Head coach Holly Strauss said that she foresees her team to reach new heights this season with the addition of two of the top 250 recruits in the country: Jordan Kirk and Allie Nickel.
"We expect our first-year players to add tremendous strength and depth to our team," Strauss said. "They are solid individuals and players who work to win."
The onus will be on the team's sole senior, Megan Frey, to provide leadership both on and off the court.
"We want teams to look at UConn Volleyball and consider us the hardest working team in the conference," Frey said.
Frey stressed the importance of practicing with incredible intensity in order to perform at the highest level come game time.
"We want to create a competitive atmosphere every day to help us build a relentless attitude that will carry over to the games," the senior said.
Joining Frey as a co-captain will be Jessica Isaac, who will provide stability at the libero position. Isaac, who is entering her third year as a full-time starter, will have even more weight on her shoulders this season.
"Jessica is on the floor at all times and we hope she will be an anchor for our team," Strauss said.
The biggest shoes that the Huskies will have to fill are those of Sade Chambers whom the team lost when she graduated in May. The former standout was First-Team All Big East and team MVP in 2007.
"Sade was a terminator and an offensive weapon and we will need some players to step up and fill the role that she played," Strauss said.
Among those who will be attempting to replace Chambers' production will be outside hitter Kate Seabaugh. The junior, who provided 267 kills in 2007, will have to take her game to the next level if the team hopes to take the next step as well.
Two other players were not shy about saying what they hope to accomplish this season.
"We want to win the Big East and earn a bid to the NCAA tournament," said middle hitter Rebecca Murray. Lauren Lamberti echoed those sentiments.
Murray plans to take on a leadership role this season in addition to her production on the court.
"I am going to do whatever I can to help our team be successful," she said.
Murray believes the team will need to remain on the same page on and off the court in order to develop the chemistry needed to have a successful year in the Big East.
Lamberti said she wants to be an emotional sparkplug for the Huskies throughout the year.
"I hope to bring energy and enthusiasm to every play, and maybe throw in a joke here and there," she said.
The looseness that Lamberti brings to the table coupled with the relentless attitude that Frey is preaching should provide a good balance for the mindset of the Huskies this year.
The Huskies open their season this weekend at the Northern Illinois Tournament where they will take on Cleveland State, Chicago State and the host school Northern Illinois. Big East action gets underway for the Huskies at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 against preseason favorite Louisville at Gampel Pavilion.
Michael.Barnhart@UConn.edu
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